When combined with UV filters, added antioxidants can work synergistically to affect the overall SPF value positively. Furthermore, adding antioxidants to sunscreen can amplify its ability to reduce markers of extrinsic photoaging, grant better protection from UV induced pigment formation, mitigate skin lipid peroxidation, improve the photostability of the active ingredients, neutralize reactive oxygen species formed by irradiated photocatalysts (e.g., uncoated TiO₂) and aid in DNA repair post-UVB damage, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of sunscreens. [120] [121] [122] [123] Compared with sunscreen alone, it has been shown that the addition of antioxidants has the potential to suppress ROS formation by an additional 1.7-fold for SPF 4 sunscreens and 2.4-fold for SPF 15-to-SPF 50 sunscreens, but the efficacy depends on how well the sunscreen in question has been formulated. [124] Sometimes osmolytes are also incorporated into commercially available sunscreens in addition to antioxidants since they also aid in protecting the skin from the detrimental effects of UVR. [125] Examples include the osmolyte taurine, which has demonstrated the ability to protects against UVB-radiation induced immunosuppression [126] and the osmolyte ectoine, which aids in counteracting cellular accelerated aging & UVA-radiation induced premature photoaging. [127] ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) a b Dahabra L, Broadberry G, Le Gresley A, Najlah M, Khoder M (March 2021). "Sunscreens Containing Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Enhanced Efficiency: A Strategy for Skin Cancer Prevention". Molecules. 26 (6): 1698. doi: 10.3390/molecules26061698. PMC 8003006. PMID 33803643. Dresbach SH, Brown W (2008). "Ultraviolet Radiation" (PDF). Ohioline Fact Sheet Series. Ohio State University Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008.

What to Know About Sunscreen Before Buying It". Consumer Reports. May 2014. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019 . Retrieved December 20, 2014. Gletscher Crème". 2010-04-22. Piz Buin. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010 . Retrieved June 29, 2013.Sunscreen makers sued for misleading claims". Associated Press. April 24, 2006. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019 . Retrieved January 5, 2015. In the 2010s & 2020s, there has been increasing interest in sunscreens that protect the wearer from the sun's high-energy visible light& iinfrared light as well as ultraviolet light. This is due to newer research revealing blue & violet visible light and certain wavelengths of infrared light (e.g., NIR, IR-A) work synergistically with UV light in contributing to oxidative stress, free radical generation, dermal cellular damage, suppressed skin healing, decreased immunity, erythema, inflammation, dryness, and several aesthetic concerns, such as: wrinkle formation, loss of skin elasticity and dyspigmentation. [132] [133] [134] [135] [136] [137] [138] Increasingly, a number of commercial sunscreens are being produced that have manufacturer claims regarding skin protection from blue light, infrared light and even air pollution. [138] However, as of 2021 there are no regulatory guidelines or mandatory testing protocols that govern these claims. [124] Historically, the American FDA has only recognized protection from sunburn (via UVB protection) and protection from skin cancer (via SPF 15+ with some UVA protection) as drug/medicinal sunscreen claims, so they do not have regulatory authority over sunscreen claims regarding protecting the skin from damage from these other environmental stressors. [139] Since sunscreen claims not related to protection from ultraviolet light are treated as cosmeceutical claims rather than drug/medicinal claims, the innovative technologies and additive ingredients used to allegedly reduce the damage from these other environmental stressors may vary widely from brand to brand. Nadim S (2005). "Sunscreen Evolution". In Shaath N (ed.). Sunscreens: regulations and commercial development (3rded.). Boca Raton, Fl.: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0824757946.

Sayre RM, Dowdy JC (2007). "Darkness at noon: sunscreens and vitamin D3". Photochemistry and Photobiology. 83 (2): 459–463. doi: 10.1562/2006-06-29-RC-956. PMID 17115796. S2CID 23767593. Sunscreen formulations contain UV absorbing compounds (the active ingredients) dissolved or dispersed in a mixture of other ingredients, such as water, oils, moisturizers, and antioxidants. The UV filters can be either: a b "Questions and Answers on the 2007 Sunscreen Proposed Rule". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Organic compounds which absorb ultraviolet light. [91] Some organic compounds ( bisoctrizole and phenylene bis-diphenyltriazine) also partially reflect incident light. [92] These are also referred to as "chemical" UV filters.Nepalia A, Singh A, Mathur N, Kamath R, Pareek S, Agarwal M (February 2021). "Skincare Products as Sources of Mutagenic Exposure to Infants: An Imperative Study Using a Battery of Microbial Bioassays". Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 80 (2): 499–506. doi: 10.1007/s00244-021-00814-6. PMID 33523258. S2CID 231746171. A combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide offer SPF 50 protection while plum extract, vitamin C, and eucalyptus provide a nourishing antioxidant blend that keeps skin looking and feeling healthy. The sunscreen is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and offers a matte, greasy-free finish. Of course, we also love that Australian Gold sunscreen is made with reef-friendly ingredients and is never tested on animals. Fourtanier A (October 1996). "Mexoryl SX protects against solar-simulated UVR-induced photocarcinogenesis in mice". Photochemistry and Photobiology. 64 (4): 688–693. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1996.tb03125.x. PMID 8863475. S2CID 96058554. Burke KE. "Does sunscreen become ineffective with age?". The Skin Cancer Foundation. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014 . Retrieved July 31, 2014. Randhawa M, Wang S, Leyden JJ, Cula GO, Pagnoni A, Southall MD (December 2016). "Daily Use of a Facial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Over One-Year Significantly Improves Clinical Evaluation of Photoaging". Dermatologic Surgery. 42 (12): 1354–1361. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000879. PMID 27749441. S2CID 37092409.

We were blown away by how well this sunscreen performed in our water-resistance test. Moisture just beaded up on top of our skin when we were wearing MDSolarScience’s sunscreen; no running or smudging here! But, a fun fact to keep in mind: There’s no such thing as a “waterproof” sunscreen. This one is rated for up to 80 minutes of splashy fun, but that’s the max that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows sunscreen-makers to say their products can last in water. a b c d Pantelic MN, Wong N, Kwa M, Lim HW (March 2023). "Ultraviolet filters in the United States and European Union: A review of safety and implications for the future of US sunscreens". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 88 (3): 632–646. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.11.039. PMID 36442641. S2CID 254068728.

Mineral sunscreens can be pricier than their chemical sunscreen counterparts, but this SPF 50 by Coppertone is both effective and budget-friendly. a b Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC (June 2013). "Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial". Annals of Internal Medicine. 158 (11): 781–790. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002. PMID 23732711. S2CID 12250745. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015 . Retrieved June 6, 2013. Pal VK, Lee S, Kannan K (August 2023). "Occurrence of and dermal exposure to benzene, toluene and styrene in sunscreen products marketed in the United States". The Science of the Total Environment. 888: 164196. Bibcode: 2023ScTEn.888p4196P. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164196. PMC10330564. PMID 37201845.